Recent updates on the ArDM project: A Liquid Argon TPC for Dark Matter Detection

TL;DR

The paper reports on the development and testing of a 1-ton liquid argon TPC for dark matter detection, focusing on charge and light readout systems using innovative amplification and scintillation detection techniques.

Contribution

It introduces recent advancements in the ArDM project's charge and light readout systems, including first tests with full-size detector components.

Findings

Successful initial light readout tests with warm and cold argon gas.

Progress in charge amplification using Large Electron Multipliers.

Development of efficient scintillation light detection with wavelength shifters.

Abstract

ArDM is a new-generation WIMP detector which will measure simultaneously light and charge from scintillation and ionization of liquid argon. Our goal is to construct, characterize and operate a 1 ton liquid argon underground detector. The project relies on the possibility to extract the electrons produced by ionization from the liquid into the gas phase of the detector, to amplify and read out with Large Electron Multipliers detectors. Argon VUV scintillation light has to be converted with wavelength shifters such as TetraPhenyl Butadiene in order to be detected by photomultipliers with bialkali photocathodes. We describe the status of the LEM based charge readout and light readout system R&D and the first light readout tests with warm and cold argon gas in the full size detector.